Lieberman a boost to IT ticket

Electronic government advocates hailed the selection of Sen. Joseph Lieberman as the Democratic vice presidential candidate as a boost for information technology issues.

One of the most knowledgeable members of Congress on the digital revolution, Lieberman (D-Conn.) has been a leader in efforts to improve government through greater use of IT.

From creating a World Wide Web site that lets the public contribute ideas for e-government legislation to pressing for more government investment in science and technology, Lieberman is widely considered as one of the most technology-savvy senators.

"Joe Lieberman has been such a guiding force on e-government," said Joiwind Williams, director of the Technology Leadership Consortium at the Council for Excellence in Government.

"He's a great choice in terms of the IT community. He's interested. He's supportive. He's savvy," said Alan Balutis, director of the Commerce Department's Advanced Technology Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Lieberman's most recent accomplishment is the e-Government Project, a Web site that invites comments from the public on legislation that Lieberman is drafting on e-government. He and Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) unveiled the site in May.

"He's the first to think about drafting legislation by soliciting public input on the Internet," Williams said.

The staffs of Gore and Lieberman have communicated frequently on Internet issues via e-mail and in meetings.